It was attended by veterans from the HMS Hood Association and their families as well as the Royal Marines Band and the Guard of Honour.

After the service, members of the public were invited to see the new exhibition called 36 Hours: Jutland 1916 The Battle That Won the War.

Mr Adams met Princess Anne and spoke about his time serving on HMS Hood.

Mr Adams added: ‘It was nice for Princess Anne to come to the service.

It carries the name of the ship and is important for its identity.

Lloyd Adams

‘She was a very nice woman and I liked she took the time to speak to me.

‘The whole day from the service to seeing the exhibition was nice.’

Mr Adams was joined by two other veterans who served on HMS Hood before it was sunk by the German battleship Bismarck on May 24, 1941. Around 1,400 men were killed.

Alec Kallaway and Keith Evans both served on HMS Hood in about 1938.

They presented the princess with a picture.

Mr Adams’ son Simon said it was great for the veterans to get together.

‘The whole morning has been a good commemoration for HMS Hood,’ he said.

‘It was exciting to see the bell form part of the Battle of Jutland exhibition at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

‘My dad was one of the only veterans at the service who fought on Hood during the war.

‘I think it is important the veterans were invited along and people were able to remember the men who died on HMS Hood.’

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